The ongoing eruption at Etna has repeatedly forced the closure of Catania Airport since 7 August 2026, with shutdowns lasting anywhere from a few hours to an entire day, leaving thousands of travellers in unexpected waiting situations. Anyone currently planning to fly to Sicily, or already there on holiday, should expect further disruptions. As the European Consumer Centre (ECC) Germany noted in a press release dated 12 August, the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation sets out precisely which entitlements travellers have in this situation and which they do not. Knowing the rules makes it easier to respond effectively in a concrete case, and even a volcanic eruption need not leave travellers without support.
Volcanic eruption as an "extraordinary circumstance"
Under the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation, a volcanic eruption is classified as an extraordinary circumstancefor which airlines cannot be held responsible. The consequence: anyone whose flight has been cancelled due to the current Etna activity is not, in principle, entitled to financial compensation in the form of the standard delay payment of up to 600 euros. That payment would only apply to cancellations for which the airline itself is responsible.
The absence of compensation does not, however, mean that airlines are relieved of all responsibility. They remain obliged to provide care for stranded passengers , and these obligations can amount to a considerable sum, particularly when delays stretch over several days.
What airlines are still required to provide
Under the Air Passenger Rights Regulation, travellers in a volcanic eruption scenario are entitled to several specific care services. These include meals and refreshments appropriate to the waiting time, free of charge, two complimentary telephone calls or emails, and hotel accommodation including transfers if the replacement flight does not depart until the following day. Where care is not provided directly by the airline, travellers may make reasonable arrangements themselves and subsequently submit the costs for reimbursement. It is essential to retain all receipts and documentation of the circumstances.
In addition, the airline must offer alternative transport, whether on one of its own aircraft, with another carrier, or by an alternative means of transport. At present, many flights are being rerouted via Palermo Airport, with a transfer arranged by the airline. If no alternative transport is possible at all, a refund of the ticket price remains an option. For travellers who need to return home from Sicily, however, this is only a practical solution if an alternative return route has already been secured.
Package holiday or independent travel: a significant difference
The legal position is considerably more favourable for package holidaymakers than for independent travellers. From the fifth hour of a delay onwards, a provision applies under which the daily travel price may be reduced by five per cent, with a further five per cent for each additional hour. Over a multi-day disruption, this can quickly add up to a meaningful sum, particularly for higher-priced trips.
Should the tour operator be unable to carry out the booked trip prior to departure owing to the volcanic situation, it may withdraw from the contract and forfeits its claim to the travel price. Any deposits or payments already made must be refunded within 14 days. Travellers may also, under certain circumstances, withdraw free of charge if a significant disruption exists or is foreseeable. Key factors here include the physical distance between the accommodation and the volcano, tangible impacts already being felt, and any travel warning issued by the Federal Foreign Office. The mere concern that the situation might worsen is not, however, sufficient to justify a free right of withdrawal.
For independent travellerswho have booked flights, accommodation and other services separately, the situation is more complicated. They must contact each service provider individually and check the relevant cancellation conditions separately. If the hotel is open and services are available, the full price will generally still be payable. A goodwill arrangement with the individual provider often remains the only option.
Travel insurance and credit card protection
A standard travel cancellation insurance will generally not help in the case of natural disasters, as these are typically excluded from standard policies. The picture may differ with certain premium policies, which can cover at least additional hotel costs or alternative return travel expenses. It is worth checking the small print.
Anyone who booked their holiday using a credit card should also check the insurance benefits associated with the card. Some credit cards include travel insurancethat covers natural disasters and reimburses a portion of costs. Again, the details can be found in the small print of the individual card's terms and conditions.
Practical guidance for travellers in this situation
Anyone currently stranded due to the Etna eruption, or planning to fly to Sicily in the coming days, should maintain close contact with their airline or tour operator. The current situation also falls during the Ferragostoweek of 2026, when everyday life in Italy is in any case shaped by public holiday closures and heavy travel movement . Catania Airport updates its website with the current operational status, as does the Italian Civil Protection authority on its Etna page. For travellers already on the ground, registering with the Federal Foreign Office's crisis preparedness list is also a sensible precaution, so that the German embassy can make contact if the need arises.
As a replacement service, the Italian railway operator Trenitalia is offering additional train connections to transport stranded passengers from Palermo onwards to Catania and eastern Sicily. For travellers concerned about a sudden escalation, the key recommendationis to follow the official updates from Italy's Civil Protection authority and airport operators, and not to begin any journey without first checking the current operational status.
Anyone encountering difficulties with an airline from another EU country, Iceland, Norway or the United Kingdom can contact the European Consumer Centre (ECC) Germany for assistance. For domestic cases, the relevant bodies are the Schlichtungsstelle Reise und Verkehr and the Schlichtungsstelle Luftverkehr at the Federal Office of Justice. A volcanic eruption can cause considerable disruption to travel plans, but those who are aware of their rights will have clear points of contact and documentable claims even in this exceptional situation.
